by Laura Lee
He walks up to the tiny brunette and pulls her in for a kiss. “Hey, Megan. We were just playing around. You remember Devyn, right?”
She crosses her arms over her giant boobs. “Uh huh. How could I forget? What’s she doing here?”
I get up from the couch and walk over to the attached kitchen to grab a beer out of the fridge. I hold one out to Rye’s flavor of the month as a peace offering. “Megan, do you want a beer?”
Her face twists in distaste. “Ew. I’ll have a wine cooler though.”
I laugh. She may be kind of bitchy but at least she has a sense of humor. “Ha! Good one.”
She glares at me. “What’s so funny?”
I twist the top off the bottle and take a swig. “The whole wine cooler joke. It was funny. Like anyone really drinks wine coolers anymore.”
Riley clears his throat. “Uh, Dev—”
Megan suddenly turns beet red. “You bitch! First, I find you all over my man and then you insult my choice of beverage? What the hell is wrong with you? Why don’t you go find a man of your own to hang out with, you little slut?”
Oh, no she didn’t! I set my beer on the counter and lunge for her but Josh steps in and holds me back. “Excuse me? Who the heck are you calling a slut?” I give her a good once over and take in her low cut top with denim mini skirt. “Have you looked in the mirror lately, Snooki?”
She’s clawing at Riley’s forearms while he holds her back. “Yeah, I have, and I look good! Which is more than I can say for you. You’re never going to get a boyfriend with the whole Amazonian Plain Jane thing you have going on!”
I lunge for her again. “For the record, I already have a boyfriend! I swear to God, Riley, if you don’t get her out of here, I’m going to punch her in the throat.”
“Dude, this is so hot!” Josh says.
Riley tightens his grip on her. “Megan, calm the fuck down. Devyn is going to be here whether you like it or not. Do I need to ask you to leave or are you going to behave?”
She breaks away from his hold and lets out a big huff. “Fine.”
Josh looks at me. “You good, baby girl?”
He releases his hold on me when I nod. “I’ll be good.”
Riley leads Megan towards the couch. “C’mon, babe, let’s watch the rest of the game.”
She trails her finger down his chest and hooks it under his waistband. “I don’t want to watch basketball.”
“It certainly doesn’t compare to a day at the mall,” I mutter.
Megan glares at me and leans into Riley, whispering in his ear.
Riley smiles at whatever she’s saying. “Uh, if you guys need me I’ll be in my room. But really, don’t knock unless the building is on fire.”
With that, Megan jumps on his back like a monkey and he carries her off to his bedroom, slamming the door behind them.
I roll my eyes. “Ugh, what does he see in that girl? She’s such a wench.”
Josh shrugs. “Maybe. But from what I hear, her rack is to die for and she has a mouth like a Hoover.”
I make a puking gesture. “Gross, Josh! Way too much information!”
He laughs and grabs a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet. “C’mon, baby girl, let’s watch the end of the game and get sloppy drunk. If you’re lucky, I might get so wasted I’ll let you take advantage of my hot body.”
I nudge his shoulder as I join him on the couch. “A girl can only hope.”
Moaning filters out through Riley’s bedroom. I glare at the closed door and grab the TV remote to increase the volume.
Josh looks at the door, then back to me and hands me the bottle of Jack with a strange expression on his face. “Here, darlin’, you look like you could use this.”
I grab the bottle from him and take a giant swig. Wiping my hand across my face I say, “Thanks, Josh.”
RILEY
THE SMELL OF COFFEE wakes me up. I walk into the living room and see a makeshift bed on the couch. I glance over to the attached kitchen and find Devyn standing in front of the coffee maker tapping her fingers on the counter. I can’t help but check out the mile long legs peeking out of the oversized t-shirt that she’s wearing. I frown as I come closer when I notice that it’s Josh’s favorite shirt. We make eye contact as I reach over her head to grab two mugs out of the cabinet.
I set them in front of the pot. “Here ya go.”
She pours some coffee into both mugs. “Thanks.”
We stand there in companionable silence for a minute while Devyn loads her cup with milk and sugar. She closes her eyes and moans upon taking her first sip. My dick jumps towards the sound.
I shift a little to conceal my burgeoning hard-on. “Hey, I’m sorry about the thing with Megan last night. She gets a little crazy when she feels threatened.”
She shrugs. “It’s fine.”
Before I can argue, Josh steps out of his bedroom and joins us in the kitchen. He ruffles Devyn’s hair and takes a sip from her mug. “How’s my favorite girl this morning?”
She takes her mug back from him and continues drinking like it’s no big deal they’re swapping spit right now. What the fuck? When did they get so cozy?
“Tired,” she says. “Your couch sucks. I slept like crap.”
He winks at her. “Hey, you were the one who refused my big, comfy bed. Don’t say I didn’t offer.”
“Ah, but here’s the problem with that: You were in said big, comfy bed and I didn’t feel like fighting off your drunken advances all night.”
Josh laughs. “Hey, you were just as smashed as I was so for all I know, I would’ve been fighting off your drunken advances all night.”
Devyn rolls her eyes. “Yeah, in your dreams, pig.”
Josh laughs harder this time, ruffles her hair again, and walks back into his room without another word. Seriously, what the hell is going on with these two? Josh has always been flirty with her but this feels different. Did something happen between them last night?
“What was that about?” I growl.
She raises her eyebrows. “What was what about?”
I fling my hand towards Josh’s room. “You and Josh. Since when are you two so touchy feely sharing coffee? Do you think your boyfriend would appreciate that?”
She rolls her eyes. “Oh geez, Riley. You’re making a big deal out of nothing. You and I normally share the same bed when I stay over and Brian’s never had a problem with it. He knows we’re just friends and he trusts me.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Well, I don’t like it. Josh is different.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “And why’s that?”
We’re interrupted again when Megan steps out of my bedroom. She looks thoroughly fucked but she clearly touched up her hair and makeup before coming out here. I look back towards Devyn and can’t help but appreciate how good she always looks first thing in the morning with no makeup, bed head, and a wrinkled tee.
Megan glares at Devyn. “What are you still doing here?”
Devyn takes another sip. “I stayed the night. I had too much to drink last night to walk back to the dorms and Josh was in no condition to drive me.”
Megan puts her hand on her hip and looks at me. “Does this happen often?”
I shrug. “Sometimes.” I intentionally leave out the part about Devyn usually sleeping in my room.
Devyn smirks when she sees the fire in Megan’s eyes. I can’t help but mirror her expression.
Megan saunters over to me, pulls my head down and kisses me. Hard. With a shit load of tongue. “I have to get going to Psych class. Thanks for the incredible night, baby. I think I’ll be walking funny for a week.” She winks as she walks out the door.
Devyn rolls her eyes again. “Incredible night, huh?”
I rub my neck, totally embarrassed by Megan’s over the top territorial behavior. I guess it’s time to end things with her. “Uh…I guess.”
Devyn laughs and says, “Well, Megan certainly seems to think so.”
“Yeah, Megan is ac
tually starting to get on my nerves so I think I’m going to cut her loose.”
“Does she know that?”
I shrug. “She knew this wasn’t going anywhere when she signed up. We’re just having fun; she’ll be fine.”
“Fun?” Devyn asks. “Is that what you call it?”
“Yeah, fun. That’s all it ever is. These girls aren’t interested in getting to know me. They want one thing from me and I’m okay with that.”
“Don’t you get tired of it, Rye? Don’t you want a real connection with someone?”
I smile. “That’s what I have you for.”
Devyn bites her lip, looking frustrated, but for the life of me, I can’t figure out why. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” As she picks up her folded clothes and heads for the bathroom she adds, “I have to get going too. I’m supposed to meet Brian at ten o’clock.”
I keep talking to her through the door. “What are you guys up to this morning?”
“We’re just going to grab some coffee and head to the library.”
“Are you sure he’s okay with you staying here all the time?” I ask. “If I were him, I don’t think I would be.”
She comes out of the bathroom wearing her clothes from last night. “I swear. We’ve talked about it quite a few times. He says he’s secure enough in our relationship and if I say we’re just friends, he trusts me implicitly.”
“And why is it that we’re just friends again?” I try keeping my tone light to suggest that I’m joking, but I’m really not. We haven’t visited the subject since we first met, but last night I almost kissed her while we were playing around on the couch. I don’t know what came over me, but I know she sensed it, and I have a sneaking suspicion she might have actually kissed me back.
She pokes me in the chest with her index finger. “Because you, my friend, are a total slut.”
I laugh. “Oh, yeah, that’s right. Why do I keep forgetting that?”
Devyn shakes her head. “I have no idea. Lucky you have me around to keep reminding you, right?”
“Right,” I agree halfheartedly.
DEVYN
EVERY YEAR, I COME back home the week before fall semester begins to visit my parents’ graves. This year, Riley insisted on making the trip with me. We step through the wrought iron gates of Rogue Valley Cemetery and make our way over to an old oak tree. A light breeze floats through the air carrying the scents of nearby rose bushes and an impending storm.
I kneel down and lovingly trace the dates on the simple, flat stones marking their graves. My mom was only thirty-eight when she died and my dad was forty-six. They both had so much life to live but God had other plans for them, I guess. “Hi, Mom and Dad."
Riley lowers himself to the ground and takes my hand, silently urging me to continue.
I nod towards Rye. “This is Riley. My friend from school that I was telling you about.” I look into his eyes and smile. “My best friend. We’re about to start our third year of college. I can’t believe we’re already halfway done. Before you know it, I’ll be taking the marketing world by storm with my brilliant ad campaigns and Riley will be a jet designer extraordinaire.”
Riley smiles and squeezes my hand. “You know it.”
I look back towards their graves and sniff back a tear. “I miss you both so much every day. I miss this town. I know you wanted me to follow in your footsteps and attend SOU but I just couldn’t be here every day, being reminded of everything that I’ve lost. I hope you’re proud of me, even if I am a Duck now.” I look back at Riley. “I have to believe that’s what I was meant to be. I wouldn’t have Riley if I wasn’t at U of O. I don’t know if I could’ve made it through the past two years without him.”
Riley pulls me into a side hug and kisses the top of my head. “Do you mind if I say something?”
I wrap my arm around his torso and hug him tighter. “Not at all.”
He clears his throat. “Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Summers. I know we haven’t officially met, but Devyn’s told me a lot about you. You raised the most incredible person I know and I wanted to thank you for bringing her into this world. I don’t know what I’d do without her and I promise I’ll take care of her. Hell, I’m even letting her drag me to a play tonight. That should tell you how invested I am in our girl here. I don’t willingly watch men in tights spit all over each other for just anyone.”
My sobs fall away as my laughter takes over. I love that he can cheer me up so easily. No one has ever been able to do so like he can. “Thank you, Rye.”
He squeezes me into him. “Cometh, milady. Let’s go see if you can change my mind about this festival.”
RILEY
FROM FEBRUARY THROUGH OCTOBER, the town of Ashland is taken over by the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. They boast three theaters, rotating eleven plays throughout each season. While they also offer non-Shakespeare works, my mom would never consider attending anything that wasn’t written by the festival’s namesake himself. I’ve never been much of a fan, but Devyn apparently shares the same passion for good ol’ William.
We’re seeing Antony and Cleopatra tonight in the outdoor Elizabethan theater. Our seats are in the balcony so we have a perfect view of the pink and purple sky as the sun sets behind the mountains. I’m honestly not paying much consideration to the actors; I’m much more interested in the woman beside me. Every once in a while, Devyn looks over and catches me staring at her. She simply smiles and returns her eyes to the stage. I don’t think she has any clue that I’m studying her so closely. She watches with rapt attention for hours as Mark Antony repeatedly neglects his soldierly duties after being beguiled by the Queen of Egypt. Blah, blah, blah, battles are waged. Blah, blah, blah, they both die in the end. Typical tragedy.
The full gamut of emotions runs over her face as she sits there, enraptured by the story. I’m seeing another side of her tonight. She’s normally just one of the guys—albeit, in a hot chick’s body, but still one of the guys. She’s totally into sports, hanging out, drinking beer, eating pizza, shooting pool…you know, normal dude stuff. Right now, I’m seeing the cultured, sophisticated, feminine person that lies beneath the surface. Trust me, my dick is aware of her womanly parts at all times, especially when she’s wearing a dress like she is tonight, but I’ve never seen her in this light before today. I’m itching to find out more about this Devyn.
I realize the play is over as Devyn stands. “Riley, are you coming?”
I get out of my seat and take the hand she is offering. We filter out of the theater and begin walking around the town square. She hasn’t pulled her hand away yet and I’m not complaining.
“Care to commemorate your visit to our festival?”
Devyn stops mid-stride as the street vendor asks his question. “I’m sorry, were you talking to us?”
The robust man in full costume holds up his camera. “Milady, I’d be honored to take a picture of such a lovely couple.” He gestures to the wooden kiosk that holds several mementos available for purchase. “Perhaps you’d like to take home a framed photo? We also offer magnets and key chains if you’d like something smaller.”
She blushes. “Oh, right. Um…we aren’t a couple. We’re just friends.”
The vendor looks at our joined hands. “My apologies for the error, milady. Perhaps a photo between friends, then?”
She follows his gaze and pulls out of my grip. “Oh, uh…no, thank you.”
I awkwardly put my hands in my pockets as we start walking again. “You feel like walking for a while before we head back to the hotel?”
“Sure.” She holds out her hand and smiles. “Screw it. Who said friends can’t hold hands?”
I smirk as I take my hand out of my pocket and link our fingers together. “Not me.”
She squeezes my fingers. “Me neither.”
As we stroll through a large park I ask, “So, what did you think of the play?”
Her face lights up. “Oh, I loved it! I think they did such a good job! I’ve never seen that partic
ular one before. It was beautiful…I think Cleopatra is definitely one of Shakespeare’s more complex characters. You feel empathy for her one minute, but then hate her in the next. Ya know? What did you think? Was the festival better than you remembered?”
I pull her arm and jerk her into my body. “No offense to my mom, but the company was definitely better this time around.”
She tucks her chin. We’re so close that I can feel the rapid beat of her heart. Her breath catches when her tits brush against my chest. I’m not positive, but I think I see her nipples poking out. Fuck me, but my dick just became rock hard thinking about it. We stand facing each other, chest to chest, just breathing without a word. Oh fuck it, I think before taking one step closer so she can feel the evidence of how she affects me.
Devyn gasps and tilts her face up. “Riley, what are—”
I put my index finger on her lips to silence her protest. “Shhh. I just need to see something.”
I lean down slowly towards her mouth. I don’t know why I’m about to cross this line after two years of a strictly platonic—okay, mostly platonic—relationship, but I can’t seem to stop myself. She holds herself completely still waiting for me to make my move. I need to know if she’s feeling what I’m feeling. I don’t even know how to articulate exactly what I’m feeling right now, but it’s definitely something.
She turns her face away right before our lips touch. “It’s starting to rain.”
I pull back and shake my head to clear the fog. “Huh?”
She looks up towards the sky and wipes a raindrop off her forehead. “The storm is rolling in. We’d better start walking back before it gets too bad.”
“Right,” I say.
We’re a block away from my truck when the sky opens up. We start running through the downpour. Devyn squeals as the drops become heavier and heavier. Suddenly she stops and turns around to face me. She gets this big smile on her face, holds her arms out wide and spins in circles repeatedly. She tilts her face up to the sky as she twirls and laughs.